Coin mechanism for vending machines

ABSTRACT

The coin mechanism of this invention is in reality a type of adding machine. Nickels, dimes and quarters inserted into the mechanism enter into and pass through their respective coin chutes, as the coins travel through the chutes they actuate crank plates and linkage, that in turn cause a circular spaced ratchet plate that is rotatably mounted on the coin mechanism base plate to rotate in a limited manner, each ratchet tooth of the ratchet plate represents one nickel. When a nickel is inserted into the coin mechanism, the ratchet plate is rotated a distance of one ratchet tooth. When a dime is inserted into the coin mechanism the ratchet plate is rotated two ratchet teeth. When a quarter is inserted into the coin mechanism, the ratchet plate is rotated five ratchet teeth, each time the ratchet plate is rotated, it is locked in the furthermost rotated position by a stationary ratchet pawl. Thus, if one nickel, one dime and one quarter are inserted progressively into the coin mechanism the ratchet plate will be rotated eight ratchet teeth past the normal position, representing a coin value of forty cents. A circular price setter plate is located adjacent to the ratchet plate on the opposite side of the coin mechanism base plate, the price setter plate is rotatably mounted on the ratchet plate shaft that extends through the base plate, in a manner that it can be set to accommodate any one of the coin mechanism&#39;&#39;s selling prices. The price setter plate has holes pierced through the plate on a slightly smaller radius than that of the outside radius of the ratchet plate to correspond to the number and spacing of the ratchet teeth of the ratchet plate, these holes provide means for setting the plate to accommodate the various price requirements. An opening cut inwardly from the outside of the price setter plate provides means for releasing the door or other locking elements of a vending machine, when the proper amount of coins are inserted into the coin mechanism, the price setter plate can be preset in increments of one nickel to trigger the release of the door or other locking components of a vending machine at any figure from five cents to one dollar and fifty cents.

tlaite tates Knickerbocker ate [1 1 COIN MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES [76] Inventor: Karl Knickerbocker, 400 Baycrest Drive, Venice, Fla.

[22] Filed: Apr. 16, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 134,686

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerFrancis J. Bartuska Att0rneyKarl Knickerbocker [5 7] ABSTRACT The coin mechanism of this invention is in reality a type of adding machine. Nickels, dimes and quarters inserted into the mechanism enter into and pass through their respective coin chutes, as the coins travel through the chutes they actuate crank plates and linkage, that in turn cause a circular spaced ratchet plate that is rotatably mounted on the coin mechanism base plate to rotate in a limited manner, each ratchet tooth of the ratchet plate represents one nickel. When a nickel is [111 3,73%,4lee

[ .Eurre E2, 1973 inserted into the coin mechanism, the ratchet plate is rotated a distance of one ratchet tooth. When a dime is inserted into the coin mechanism the ratchet plate is rotated two ratchet teeth. When a quarter is inserted into the coin mechanism, the ratchet plate is rotated five ratchet teeth, each time the ratchet plate is rotated, it is locked in the furthermost rotated position by a stationary ratchet pawl. Thus, if one nickel, one dime and one quarter are inserted progressively into the coin mechanism the ratchet plate will be rotated eight ratchet teeth past the normal position, representing a coin value of forty cents. A circular price setter plate is located adjacent to the ratchet plate on the opposite side of the coin mechanism base plate, the price setter plate is rotatably mounted on the ratchet plate shaft that extends through the base plate, in a manner that it can be set to accommodate any one of the coin mechanisms selling prices. The price setter plate has holes pierced through the plate on a slightly smaller radius than that of the outside radius of the ratchet plate to correspond to the number and spacing of the ratchet teeth of the ratchet plate, these holes provide means for setting the plate to accommodate the various price requirements. An opening cut inwardly from the outside of the price setter plate provides means for releasing the door or other locking elements of a vending machine, when the proper amount of coins are inserted into the coin mechanism, the price setter plate can be preset in increments of one nickel to trigger the release of the door or other locking components of a vending machine at any figure from five cents to one dollar and fifty cents.

4 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENIEB JHPH 21915 3. 738 .466

sum 20F 23 6| 3O 66 e5 96 67 23 24 M Flg. 4

Fig. 2 INVENTOR KARL KNICKERBOCKER PATENTEU 21973 IBC SHEET 3 OF 8 LIB INVENTOR KARL KNICKERBOCKER Pmmm Jun 2 ma SHUT 5 [IF 8 INVENTOR KARL KNICKERBOCKER PATENTEU JUN] 2 I935 3. 7 38 466 SHEET 7 OF 8 INVENTOR KARL KNICKERBOCKER PAIENIED JIIII I 2 I973 3 1 3B 46B SIIEEI 8 (IF 8 O |5 DAILY |5 o I com 35 SUNDAY 35 NSERT O O SLOT COIN MECHANISM COIN I RETURN COIN MECHANISM HOUSING COIN DOOR HINGE RETURN RECEIVER NEWS PAPER REMOVAL DOOR EXTENSION Fig. l4

INVENTOR KARL KNICKERBOCKER COIN MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES The present invention relates to mechanism for controlling a latch or the like for the door or other dispensing element of a vending machine which is permitted to be opened or operated when proper coins have been deposited in the 'mechanism.

The present invention relates to a new principle in mechanical coin operated mechanism, that is a radical departure from the principle incorporated in existing and commonly used coin mechanisms such as U. S. Pat. No. 3,265,177. In that type of a coin mechanism, inserted coins are stacked edgewise in one or more vertical coin chutes. Inasmuch as the vertical length of the coin chutes are limited by necessity of allowable space, a vendor or newspaper rack equipped with this type of a coin mechanism will be limited to low selling prices, if a purchase is made from the vendor with nickels only, the selling price will be limited to 30 cents.

A very important feature of the present invention is, a vendor or newspaper rack equipped with this unit will accommodate selling prices from cents to 1 dollar and 50 cents. Prices can be varied in increments of 5 cents by turning a price setter dial, no tools or extra parts are required to attain a required price setting.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a coin operated mechanism having means for presetting the price control elements of the coin mechanism to correspond to any one of a vendors required merchandise selling price.

Another important feature of this invention is that vendor merchandise can be purchased with any combination of coins that total up to the vendors pre-set selling price.

Another important feature of this invention is, any combination of coins required to make a purchase from a vendor, can be deposited in the vendor in any rotation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of the type referred to that will operate in response to various coin combinations.

A very important feature of this invention is coins deposited in the vendor are temporarily held in an escrow container, a potential purchaser can return these coins to the coin return receiver by operating a coin return actuator.

Another feature of this invention is the vendors coin return actuator is locked to prevent the return of coins when a dispensing cycle of the vendor is initiated.

Another feature of this invention is that during a dispensing cycle of a vendor, coins held in the escrow container are transferred from the container to the cash box.

Another important feature of this invention is that it provides means for the quick setting of the price control components of the coin mechanism to accommo date the change from the daily setting price to the Sunday selling price of newspapers being dispensed from a newspaper rack.

In a multiple column merchandise vendor, it is common practice to sell the merchandise from one of the columns at one price and the merchandise of another column at a different price, the present invention is equipped to perform this function.

This invention provides a coin mechanism that can be quickly and easily secured to or be completely removed from a vending machine, without the use of tools.

Another important feature of this invention is the coin mechanism referred to, can be operated in con- 5 junction with or without a standard slug rejector.

When a newspaper rack is equipped with a coin mechanism of the present invention, a special coin sorter and bent coin rejector may be attached to and become a part of the coin mechanism, this unit is not a part of the present invention.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view elevation of a newspaper rack embodying this invention. The coin mechanism of this invention is shown mounted on the front wall of a newspaper rack coin mechanism housing.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the coin mechanism, shown mounted on a fragmentary section of the newspaper rack coin mechanism housings front wall. Most of the coin mechanisms components are shown in this view, including the newspaper racks door latch hook and the coin mechanism s latch plate. The nickel, dime and quarter coin chutes are shown in the lower left corner.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the coin mechanism mounted on a fragmentary section of the front wall of a newspaper rack coin mechanism housing. The nickel, dime and quarter coin chute assembly is shown on the right side of the mechanism. The door latch hook is partially shown in phantom, all the working components that make up this side of the coin mechanism are shown in detail.

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the coin mechanism. The nickel, dime and quarter coin chute assembly is shown on the right front side of the coin mechanism. The coin mechanisms door latch plate, is shown in the upper right side. Most of the working components of the coin mechanism are shown.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the coin mechanism. The coin chute assembly located on the extreme right side of the coin mechanism is a cross section view taken on line A-A of FIG. 4, showing the quarter coin chutes coin path. The spacer plates shown, provide a space between the chute divider plates for the downward passage of a quarter, the spacer plates are shaped to guide the quarter during its descent to follow a consistent pattern. A quarter is shown sitting on an angle section of the quarter crank plate that protrudes in an outward direction through an arcuate cam slot in the rear quarter coin chute face plate. The quarter crank is shown in phantom at the bottom of its stroke, the quarter is shown leaving the chute. All of the coin mechanisms components that are mounted on this side of the mechanism are shown in detail and their functions will be explained later on in the specification.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the coin mechanism, this view is identical to the view shown in FIG. 5, with these exceptions in FIG. 5, the quarter is shown entering the quarter coin chute and all the coin mechanism s actuating components are in normal position. In FIG. 6 the quarter is shown leaving the coin chute and the movous coin mechanism components will be explained in detail later on in the specification.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the cion mechanism, the coin chute assembly located on the extreme right side is cross section view taken on line B-B of FIG. 4, showing the dime chutes coin path. The spacer plates shown, provide a space between the chute divider plates for the downward passage of a dime, the spacer plates are shaped to guide the dime in its descent to follow a consistent pattern. A dime is shown setting on top of an angle section of the dime crank wire that protrudes through the arcuate cam slots of the chutes face and divider plates, the dime crank wire is shown in phantom at the bottom of its travel, the dime is also shown in phantom leaving the chute.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the coin mechanism, the coin chute assembly is shown on the extreme right side of the coin mechanism, this view is a cross section of the dime coin chute taken on line B-B of FIG. 4. The dime crank is shown at the bottom of its stroke, the dime is shown leaving the chute. The mechanisms components at the left of the chute are shown in operated positions. The dime crank is shown in its normal position, in phantom.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the coin mechanism, a cross section view of the coin chute assembly taken on line C-C of FIG. 4, shows the nickel coin chute,

nickel crank and nickel crank travel limit plate. The

travel limit plate and the chute spacer plates, guide the nickel during its downward descent through the chute. It will be noted that the dime crank also serves as a nickel crank. The crank and mechanisms components appearing to the left of the coin chute assembly, are shown in normal position, a nickel is shown entering the chute.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the coin mechanism. The coin chute assembly is shown on the extreme right side, the coin chute section of this view was taken on line C-C of FIG. 4, and shows the nickel chute, nickel crank travel limit plate and chute spacer plates. The nickel crank wire is shown in the down position, the nickel is shown in phantom leaving the chute. It will be noted that the presence of a nickel in the chute has crowded the bottom section of the nickel crank limit travel plate to swing clockwise and assume a position under an extension of the crank wire that extends inwardly from the crank (not shown) to limit the downward travel of the crank. The coin mechanism components located to the left of the coin chute assembly are shown in actuated position.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a different setting of the coin operated mechanism to permit dispensing of a newspaper of a different sales price from that shown by the setting in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the coin mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a rear elevation, exploded view of the combination ratchet and price setter mechanism having sections of the mounting housing cut away to show the shaft bearings.

FIG. 14 shows a front and side elevation of a newspaper rack demonstrator equipped with a coin mechanism of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the coin mechanism of this invention is shown mounted on the front inside wall 1-8 of a newspaper rack coin mechanism housing, to conserve space, the rack housing part of the drawing is a fragmentary section. The newspaper rack's door extension 2 and the coin mechanism angle plate extension 72 have been cut away in a manner that the rack door latch hook plate 35 and coin mechanisms latch plate 36, also the front portion of the coin mechanisms ratchet plate return crank plate 32 can be viewed. It will be noted that the left end of latch plate 368 has dropped over the hook section 35A of door latch hook plate 35, the rectangular slot 36A in latch plate 36 makes the latching possible. Plate 33 is rigidly secured to the inside top wall of latch plate 36 extends downward from that point on an angle and comes in contact with section 35B of the door latch hook plate 35, to rock the latch plate 36 counter-clockwise on its mounting shaft 32A. When latch plate 36 is rocked clockwise, connecting link plate 39 having its lower.

end secured to a tab 37 on the top front end of latch plate 36 by shoulder stud 38 and the top end secured to hinge plate 41 by shoulder stud 40. Hinge plate 41 is swingably mounted to channel section of plate 45 by shaft 29, 41A of plate 41 is a tab formed outward at a right angle to the plate this tab normally rests on the top outer left end of plate 45 and limits the downward travel of the left end of plate 41 that is being'biased by tortional spring 43. Tortional spring 43 is mounted around shaft 29, between the channel shaped walls of plate 45. The lower end of the tortional spring 43 is anchored to plate 45 the opposite end rests against tab 41A of plate 41. Plate 45 is'swingably mounted on shoulder stud 28 that in turn is rigidly secured to the coin mechanism base plate 1, an expansion spring 151 having the upper end anchored to plate 45 through opening 151A and the lower end secured to shoulder stud that is rigidly rivited to the coin mechanism base plate 1, biases plate 45 to rock on its pivot stud 28 clockwise. The clockwise travel of plate 45 is limited by link plate 39 being anchored to latch plate 36 that in turn has its clockwise travel limited by angle plate 33, that is a part of the latch plate 36 coming to rest against section 35B of latch hook plate 35. The extreme right end 49 of plate 45 is formed outward at a right angle to the plate and extends over the top side of the price setter plate.

When the paper removable door 2 is swung outward, the latch hook plate that is secured to the door extension moves away from latch plates 36, angle plate extension 33 and allows the latch plate 36 to rock on its mounting shaft 32A clockwise. It is obvious that the clockwise movement of the latch plate 36 will permit angle section 49 of plate 45 to come to rest on the top edge of the price setter plate 11, thus stopping the clockwise travel of the extreme left end of the latch plate 36A, therefore preventing the latch plate 36 from disengaging latch hook 35A of latch hook plate 35. It will be noted that the price setter plate 11 in this instance is set to accommodate a 35 cent sale. It will therefore be necessary to insert thirty five cents into the coin mechanism, to rotate the price setter plate 11 clockwise to position opening 118 of the price setter plate directly under angle section 49 of plate 45. With the price setter plate 11 in this position, angle section 49 of plate 45 will enter opening llB'of the price setter plate 11, therefore, when the top of the paper removal door is swung outward the added clockwise travel of plates 41-45 and linkage 39 will permit section 36A of latch plate 36 to-disengage section 35A of the door latch hook plate 35 and release the door. When the paper removal door is swung open, the price setter plate is returned to normal position as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings in the following manner; 32 is a crank plate swingably and coaxially mounted on the coin mechanism base plate 1 by shoulder stud shaft 32A that in turn is rigidly secured to the base plate 1 section of crank plate 32 and extends outward on a horizontal plane from each side of the channel shaped mounting section, of the crank plate (not shown) shoulder stud 32B is rigidly secured to the left end of crank plate 32 and extends inward to pass over section 34 of door latch hook plate 35. Crank plate 32 is biased to swing counter-clockwise by expansion spring 152 that has the lower end anchored to crank plate 32 through opening 153, the upper end is anchored to shoulder stud 150. When the top of paper removal door is swung outward, shoulder stud shaft 32B, that is riding on section 34, of door latch hook plate 35, will follow the ramp shape section 34A of the plate and swing downward the right end of the crank plate will be swung upward. 30A is a section of crank plate 30 that is formed inward from the plate at right angles to the plate, to pass through opening 30F of the coin mechanism base plate 1 and under section D of the stationary ratchet pawl 20, that is mounted on the opposite side of the base plate. By referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be obvious that the ratchet and price setter plates that are held in their rotated positions by the stationary ratchet pawl 20 will be released. However, inasmuch as angle section 49 of plate 45 has dropped into opening 118 of the price setter plate 1 1, it will prevent the return of the ratchet and price setter plate to normal position, therefore, connecting link plate 46 that has the top end connected to plate 45 by shoulder stud 47 and E washer 48 and the lower end connected to crank plate 32 by shoulder stud C will rock plate 45 counter-clockwise, angled section 49 of plate 45 will move out of opening 118 of the price setter plate 11, thus the plates 11 and 25 will return to normal position. These plates are biased by a tortional type clock spring that will be outlined in detail later on in the specification.

When the paper removal door 2 is closed, shoulder stud 32B of crank plate 32 will come in contact with the ramp 34A of door latch hook plate and force that end of crank plate, that was lowered by the opening of the door 2, upward to normal position, the opposite end of crank plate 32 will move downward and release the stationary ratchet pawl 20. Section 36A of latch plate 36 will come in contact with the ramp 35C of the door latch hook plate 36 and cam that end of the latch plate, that was lowered by the opening of door 2 upward to normal position. It will be obvious that it will be necessary for the outer left end of hinge plate 41 to swing upward on pivot shaft 29, inasmuch as angle section 49 of plate that is a part of that assembly will come to rest on top edge of price setter plate 11, as the door 2 latch hook plate moves inward it will come in contact with plate 33 of latch plate 36 and rock the latch plate counter-clockwise into latched or normal position. MOst of the coin mechanism s components shown in FIG. 1 are also shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the coin mechanism, the numbered components in the interest of clarification, are identified by their part name. 1 coin mechanism angle plate base. 1A angle plate extension of base 1. 2 newspaper removal door extension. 3 ratchet plate return spring housing and mounting base for ratchet 25, shaft 6 and other associated components. 4 spring housing face plate. 4A spring housing face plate mounting screws. 50 price setter plate quick set actuator. 9 price setter plate drive crank. 10 price setter plate drive crank index pin. 6 ratchet plate shaft. 6A assembly retainer pin. 68 price setter plate cushion spring. 21 stationary ratchet pawl mounting stud. 20 stationary ratchet pawl. 20B stationary ratchet pawl extension. 25 ratchet plate. 18 ratchet plate actuator. 26 ratchet plate actuator pawl. 15, 16 and 17 are locating E washers. ratchet plate actuator camming plate. 14 quarter (25 crank plate mounting shaft. 32 quarter (25 18) crank plate. 27 quarter (25 crank plate connecting link. 18A ratchet plates actuator mounting shaft for ratchet pawl 26. 23 and 24 are shoulder stud shafts for mounting crank connecting link 27, best shown in FIG. 3. 32 ratchet plate return crank. 32A crank plate mounting shaft. 328 crank plate shoulder rivit actuator stud. 35 newspaper removal door latch hook plate. 29 hinge plates 41-45 assembly shaft. 28 mounting stud. 32A mounting shaft. 32C is the mounting channel section of plate 32. 11 price setter plate. 36 paper removal door latch plate. 33 door latch plate extension. 37 door latch plate angle tab. 66A coin chute assembly mounting nuts. 66B chute spacer nuts. -66 coin chute assembly nuts and bolts. 67 guide plate for actuator crank wire 61. 61 combination dime and nickel crank wire. 68 coin chute assembly inner face plate. 69 chute spacer plate. 70 dime coin chute divider plate. 71 coin chute assembly spacer plate. 72 chute assembly face plate. 61A angle section of 61 dime crank. 64 nickel coin chute spacer plate. 64A nickel coin chute. 63 dime coin chute spacer plate. 62 quarter coin chute spacer.

The operations of the above listed coin mechanism compartments are outlined in detail in the above description of operation of parts as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the coin mechanism is shown in a side elevation view. All the working components are shown in normal positions. 2 paper removal door is shown in closed position. 35 door latch hook plate. 34 section of door latch hook plate. 32 ratchet plate return crank plate. 32B crank plate shoulder rivet actuator stud. 33 door latch plate extension (door latch plate 36 not shown). 65, 66, 97 and 96 coin chute assembly bolts. 98 retainer nuts. 67 dime-nickel crank wire 61 guide plate. 61 dime-nickel crank wire. 101 dime-nickel crank wire stop plate. 101A stop plate limit tab. 99 quarter (25 crank plate stop. 100 stop mounting screw. 32 quarter (25 crank plate. 60 nickel-dime cam plate. 14 nickel-dime cam plate and 30 crank plate mounting stud. 27 connecting link. 23-24 connecting link mounting studs. 25 ratchet plate. 26 ratchet plate pqwl. 26A angle section of 26. 18A mounting shaft for pawl 26. 20, 20A and 20B stationary ratchet plate pawl. 21 ratchet plate pawl mounting stud. 21C E washer. l8 ratchet plate actuator. -90A ratchet plate actuator mounting bracket. 92 actuator plate 18 mounting stud. 92A is E washer. 9] limit stop for ratchet pawl 26. 91A, 91B and 91C mounting bolts. ISA-18C ratchet plate actuator plate 18 stop. 18B18D stop mounting bolts. 20, 20A, 20B and 19B ratchet plate stationary pawl. 21 stationary pawl mounting stud. 21C is E washer. 20C stationary ratchet pawl bias spring. 30F coin mechanism base opening. 3232A ratchet plate return crank plate outlined in detail in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawmgs.

In connection with FIG. 4 of the drawings, the numbered components are identified by their part name as follows: 1 coin mechanism angle plate base. 1A base angle plate extension. 32A quarter crank plate angled section. 68 coin chute face plate. 69A quarter chute. 72 coin chute face plate. 63 dime chute. 67 dime crank wire guide plate. 65, 66 coin chute assembly bolts. 61 combination dime-nickel crank wire. 60 nickel-dime cam plate. 60A dime crank wire retainer. 32 quarter crank plate. 14 crank plate mounting stud. 23-24 mounting studs for link plate 27. 92 ratchet actuator plate 18 mounting stud. 18, 18A, 18B and 18C ratchet plate 18 stop. 90, 90A ratchet actuator plate 18 mounting bracket. 25 ratchet plate. 26, 26A and 26B ratchet plate actuator pawl. 18 actuator pawl mounting shaft. 91, 91A and 91B are ratchet plate 18 actuator pawl 26 limit stop. 3 ratchet plate mounting and return spring housing. 4 housing face plate. 50 price setter plate quick set actuator. 50A E washer. 9 price setter plate crank. price setter plate registering pin. 1 1 price setter plate. 6 ratchet plate and price setter plate shaft. 6A retainer pin. 6B price setter plate retainer cushion spring. 28 plates 41-45 assembly mounting stud. 29 hinge pin. 43 bias spring. 40,37 link 39 mounting studs. 36 paper removal door latch plate. 36A latch plate opening. 72 coin mechanism base extension. 32A door latch 36 mounting shaft. 32D E washer. The functions of the coin mechanism components, identified in accordance with their part names, will be elaborated on as the specification progresses.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the sequence of operation of the quarter crank plate and associated actuator components are outlined in detail. In FIGS. 5 and 6 all components are shown in normal position.

FIG. 6 of the drawings shows the quarter crank plate 32 rotated clockwise on mounting shaft 14, by the presence of a quarter in the coin chute, the right end of crank plate angle section 30A of plate 32 has come to rest on the lower end of the quarter coin chute face plate 68 cam slot 68A, the quarter is shown leaving the chute. The left end section 32D of crank plate 32 has been rotated upward. Ratchet actuator plate 18 is rotated counter-clockwise on its mounting shaft 92, by connecting link plate 27 that is attached to the right end of ratchet actuator plate 18A by shoulder stud 24. The lower end of link plate 27 is attached to section 32D of quarter crank plate 30 by shoulder stud 23. Angle section 26A of ratchet pawl 26 that is swingably mounted on the right end section 18D of ratchet actuator plate 18 by shaft 18A, thus rotating the ratchet plate 5 teeth. All actuator components will return to normal position when the quarter leaves the coin chute, with the exception of the ratchet plate 25 that will be held in its rotated position by stationary ratchet pawl until newspaper rack removal door 2 is opened.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the combination dime-nickel crank wire 61 and associated components are shown in normal position.

In FIG. 8 of the drawings, the dime crank wire 61 is shown rotated clockwise on mounting shaft 14, by the presence of a dime in the coin chute, the angle section 61A of crank wire 61 has come to rest on the lower end of the chutes divider plates 70-71 cam slots 68A. The dime is shown leaving the chute. The dime crank wires associated cam plate 60 that is coaxially mounted between the quarter cranks 32 channel sections, on shaft 14, has been rotated clockwise by the presence of a dime in the chute. The upper left section 61D of the cam plate 60 contacts the lower side of the ratchet pawl 26 mounting shaft 13A that is anchored to the right end of the ratchet actuator plate 18, to rotate the components counter-clockwise on mounting stud 92, also rotate the ratchet plate counter-clockwise two teeth. Stationary ratchet plate angle section 20B of stationary ratchet pawl 20 that is mounted on stud 21, will prevent the ratchet plate from returning to normal position until paper removal door 2 is opened. All other actuating components will return to normal positions when the dime leaves the chute. 7

Referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, showing the nickel coin chute structure, combination dime-nickel crank wire 61 and its associated components are shown in their respective normal positions.

FIG. 10 of the drawings shows the combination dimenickel crank wire rotated clockwise by the presence of a nickel in the coin chute, the bottom section of the crank stop plate 101 has been crowded to the left by the nickel to bring section 1018 of the stop plate 101 directly under extension 61B (best shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings) of crank wire 61 and stop the downward travel, thus limiting the rotation of cam plate 60, ratchet actuator plate 18 and ratchet pawl 26, in a manner that ratchet plate 25 will rotate only one tooth. When the nickel leaves the chute, as shown in phantom, crank wire 61 and associated actuator components of crank wire 61 will return to their normal positions, with this exception, ratchet plate 25 will be held in its rotated position by stationary ratchet pawl 20, until the newspaper rack removal door 2 is opened.

Referring to FIG. 11 of the drawings: In FIG. 1 of the drawings the price setter dial is shown set to accommodate a 35 cent Sunday newspaper sale. In FIG. 11, the price setter dial assembly has been rotated manually with the quick set components 50, 50A and 8, to accommodate a 15 cent daily newspaper sale. The quick change components can also be arranged in a manner, that they can be operated by remote control (not shown) from the outside of the coin mechanism housing without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 12 of the drawings is a rear elevation view of the coin mechanism. The numbered coin mechanism componentsare identified by their part name as follows: 1 coin mechanism angle base plate. 1A base angle plate extension. 72 base extension. 32 ratchet plate return crank plate actuator. 3213 return crank and latch plate. 36 mounting shaft. 32D crank plate angled section. 30C shoulder rivet mounting stud. 46 actuator link.

152 expansion spring. 50 price setter plate quick set crank plate. 50A retainer E washer. 11 price setter plate. 9 price setter plate crank. 10 price setter plate assembly pin. 6B price setter plate cushion spring. 6 ratchet plate shaft. 6A assembly pin. 3 ratchet plate shaft and return spring mounting housing. 4 housing face plate 4A mounting screws. 25 ratchet plate. 32 quarter crank plate. 92 crank plate mounting shaft. 18 ratchet plate actuator. 60 dime cam plate. 61 dime crank wire. 61B crank wire extension. 61A dime crank wire angled section. 27 connecting link. 23 link mounting stud. 20 stationary ratchet pawl. 21 ratchet pawl mounting stud. The working functions of the listed parts are outlined in the various drawings and explained in detail throughout the specification.

FIG. 13 of the drawings is a rear elevation exploded view of the combination ratchet and price setter plates shaft, also the shaft return spring mounting housing sections of the mounting housing have been cut away to reveal the shaft bearings. 3 mounting housing. 3A shaft bearing. 4 housing face plate. 4A shaft bearing. 4B return spring anchor pin. 4D face plate mounting screws. 9 price setter plate drive crank. price setter plate registering pin. 11 price setter plate. 9A price setter plate cushion spring. 6A assembly retainer pin. 6 ratchet plate shaft. 7 return spring mounting hub. 8 return spring. 25 ratchet plate. 60 assembly retainer pin. The assembled view of the ratchet and price setter plate housing assembly is best shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a front and side elevation of a newspaper rack demonstrator, equipped with a coin mechanism, of this invention. Components of the rack are outlined and identified by their part names. The newspaper rack removal door 2 is shown in closed position.

Summing up the operation of the present invention is as follows:

One of the distinctive features of the present invention which contributes primarily to the simplicity of construction and relative low cost of manufacture, is that in the present invention the ratchet plate 25 and the price setter plate 11 which control-the release of the newspaper dispensing door are operated through simple inexpensive structures solely by the weight of the coins deposited in the chutes without the use of escapements and other delicate complicated mechanisms.

When the vending machine is charged or filled with a supply of newspapers or other periodicals to be dispensed, the price setting plate 11, which is in the form of a semi-flexible disc is flexed to disengage it from the setter index pin 10 on the price setter plate actuator crank 9 which is rigidly attached to the ratchet and price setting plate carrying shaft 6 and rotated to bring the hole of the circularly spaced holes extending through the price setter plate 11, which corresponds to the price of the newspaper to be dispensed and the pin 10 enters through the hole in the price setter plate or disc, in effect locking the disc 11 to rotate with the shaft and ratchet.

For example, if the price of the newspaper to be dispensed is fifteen cents, the price setter plate 11 will be rotated from its normal position so that the pin 10 will extend through the third hole from normal or starting position of the price setter disc 11 and upon insertion of a nickel in the nickel chute, the weight of the nickel engaging the nickel and dime wire 61 will, by its weight, move this wire downwardly and move the ratchet rotating plate or arm 18 a distance sufficient to rotate the ratchet one tooth, then when a dime is inserted in the dime chute it will engage the nickel and dime wire 61, moving it and causing the cam on its end to move the ratchet rotating arm 18 or plate 11 a distance sufficiently to rotate the ratchet in an increment of rotation constituting two teeth, thus the price setter plate 1 1 will have been rotated through the three tooth increment corresponding to the setting of the price setter plate 11 by the insertion of the crank arm carried pin 10 through the third hole in the price setting plate. This will move the notch or opening 11B in the perimeter of the price setter plate 11 into a position where the angled end 49 of the pivoted door latch release arm 45 will drop into the notch or opening 113 releasing the door catch and allowing the dispensing door to be opened for removal of a newspaper from the machine. During this operation, ratchet pawl 26 that is mounted on the outer end of ratchet rotating plate 18 to rotate the ratchet, also the stationary ratchet pawl 20 that is mounted on base plate 1 will be rocked clockwise to remove the pawls from the ratchet teeth and the ratchet and price setter plates will be returned to their normal starting position by means of the flat wire tortional spring attached thereto. During this operation, the latch releasing arm 45 is moved so that the angled section 49 on its end moves out of the opening or notch 118 in the perimeter of the price setting plate or disc 11 and rides above the perimeter of the price setting disc or plate 11 until the mechanism is again operated by insertion of coins in the slots.

When the price of the newspaper or periodical to be dispensed is either 25 cents or a price including 25 cents, such as 35 cents or 40 cents, the price setter plate 11 will, after having been manually flexed to move the crank arm 9 carried pin 10 out of an opening therein, be rotated so that the pin will pass-through the opening corresponding to the price of the newspaper and thus the mechanism will be set so that the door latch will not be released until coins of value corresponding to the setting of the price setter plate have been inserted into and passed through the coin chutes. These coins may be inserted in any degree of sequence, say for instance, the price setter plate 11 is set at 40 cents, then the coins may be inserted in any sequence and upon the insertion of each coin, the ratchet will be rotated by the weight .of the coin passing through the chute through the'intermediate mechanisms a number of notches corresponding to the value of the coin and when a total of coins to the value of 4.0 cents have been inserted, the ratchet and price setter plate 11 will have been rotated a distance sufficiently to release the dispensing door latch 36 and allow it to be opened. That is, when a quarter, a nickel or dime have been inserted in the chutes, for dimes or eight nickels or any combination thereof amounting to 40 cents have been inserted in and passed through the coin chutes.

When a quarter is inserted in the quarter coin chute, the quarter passing through the chute will engage angle section 30A of the crank arm 30, moving this arm 30 and by the linkage 27 connection between the crank and the pawl carrying ratchet rotating arm 18 move this latter arm a sufficient distance to rotate the ratchet through an increment of rotation designated by five ratchet teeth. Due to'the fact that a quarter is relatively heavy with reference to the weight of a dime or a nickel, and due to'the fact that the spring connected to the ratchet and the ratchet operating arm or plate 13 must be so'delicately balanced as to be operated by the relatively light weight of a dime, the weight of the quarter mayexert momentum to the rotation of the ratchet as to cause it to overreach the prescribed degree of rotation causing excessive rotation of the price setter 11 and prevent unlocking the door latch. To prevent this, the stop 91 is provided, so that when the ratchet has rotated through a five tooth degree of rotation the stop plate 91 will engage the pawl 26 carried by the ratchet rotating plate or arm 18, force it into firm engagement with the fifth tooth of the degree of rotation and prevent any over-reaching movement of the ratchet and price setter plate 11.

While the price setter plate in the present application is shown provided with thirty price setting holes to permit the dispensing of periodicals or articles ranging in value from cents to 1 dollar and 50 cents, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this degree, but that the price setter plate may be provided 'with any desired or predetermined number of openings to increase or decrease a maximum coin amount required for operation of the mechanism and correspondingly increase or decrease the cost of the periodicals, such as one nickel to the maximum of a dollar, or one nickel minimum to a maximum of two or more dollars, or increments thereof without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It will be apparent that only one form of the invention has been described and shown in the drawings, other forms, modifications and adaptations could be made, all falling within the scope of the following claims.

What is cliamed is:

1. in a periodical vending machine, a housing for containing periodicals to be dispensed, a removal door for permitting removal of periodicals from the housing, latch means for locking the removal door in closed position, and a coin-controlled mechanism for operating said latch means to permit opening of the door, said coin controlled mechanism including a rotatable ratchet, means for rotating said ratchet by the weight of coins in increments corresponding to the value of the coins inserted in the machine, manually set price setter means, means for connecting said price setter means for rotation with said ratchets, a lever operated. by rotation of said price setter means to release said latch and permit opening of said periodical removing door and a spring for moving said lever into operable connection with said price setter means after it has rotated to the appropriate position, said coin mechanism including chutes for receiving coins of different denominations and different sizes and weights, a wire engaged by coins of the largest denomination and weight actuated by weight of a coin passing through the chute for receiving the coin of largest denominations and movable there under to rotate said ratchet plate and said price setter means, means for limiting the increment movements of the price setter plate in accordance with the value of the coin, said coin chutes including a chute for receiving nickels, a second chute for receiving dimes, a second wire movable under weights of nickels or dimes passing through their respective chutes to rotate said ratchet and price setter means in accordance with the value of the nickel or dime, and stop means for controlling the limit of movement of the second wire under weight ofa nickel to prevent rotation of the ratchet and price setter means a distance greater than that desired by the value of the nickel.

2. In a periodical vending machine, a housing for containing periodicals to be dispensed, a removal door for permitting removal ofperiodicals from the housing, latch means for locking the removal door in closed position, and a coin controlled mechanism for operating said latch means to permit opening of the door, said coin controlled mechanism including a rotatable ratchet, means for rotating said ratchet by the weight of coins in increments corresponding to the value of the coins inserted in the machine, manually set price setter means, means for connecting said price setter means for rotation with said ratchets, a lever operated by rotation of said price setter means to release said latch and permit opening of said periodical removing door and a spring for moving said lever into operable connection with said price setter means after it has rotated to the appropriate position, said coin mechanism including a coin chute for receiving quarters, a second coin chute for receiving dimes and a third coin chute for receiving nickels, a wire connected to said ratchet for rotating the ratchet in an increment of five teeth upon movement of the wire under weight of a quarter, a second wire connected to the, ratchet for moving the ratchet in increments of two teeth under the weight of a dime, said second wire being moved under the weight of a nickel to rotate said ratchet and price setter means, and stop means for limiting the movement of said wire under the weight of a nickel to prevent rotation of the ratchet in increments in excess of one tooth.

3. In a periodical vending machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the price setter means has an opening therein, means on said lever for engagement in said opening, said spring acting to move the lever to move its opening engaging means into the opening in the price setter means, whereby the lever will be moved to release thelatch when the price setter means is moved by said ratchet into the position indicated by the price of the periodical to be dispensed.

4. In a periodical vending machine as claimed in claim 3, said price setter means including a flexible the price of the periodical to be dispensed. 

1. In a periodical vending machine, a housing for containing periodicals to be dispensed, a removal door for permitting removal of periodicals from the housing, latch means for locking the removal door in closed position, and a coin-controlled mechanism for operating said latch means to permit opening of the door, said coin controlled mechanism including a rotatable ratchet, means for rotating said ratchet by the weight of coins in increments corresponding to the value of the coins inserted in the machine, manually set price setter means, means for connecting said price setter means for rotation with said ratchets, a lever operated by rotation of said price setter means to release said latch and permit opening of said periodical removing door and a spring for moving said lever into operable connection with said price setter means after it has rotated to the appropriate position, said coin mechanism including chutes for receiving coins of different denominations and different sizes and weights, a wire engaged by coins of the largest denomination and weight actuated by weight of a coin passing through the chute for receiving the coin of largest denominations and movable thereunder to rotate said ratchet plate and said price setter means, meAns for limiting the increment movements of the price setter plate in accordance with the value of the coin, said coin chutes including a chute for receiving nickels, a second chute for receiving dimes, a second wire movable under weights of nickels or dimes passing through their respective chutes to rotate said ratchet and price setter means in accordance with the value of the nickel or dime, and stop means for controlling the limit of movement of the second wire under weight of a nickel to prevent rotation of the ratchet and price setter means a distance greater than that desired by the value of the nickel.
 2. In a periodical vending machine, a housing for containing periodicals to be dispensed, a removal door for permitting removal of periodicals from the housing, latch means for locking the removal door in closed position, and a coin controlled mechanism for operating said latch means to permit opening of the door, said coin controlled mechanism including a rotatable ratchet, means for rotating said ratchet by the weight of coins in increments corresponding to the value of the coins inserted in the machine, manually set price setter means, means for connecting said price setter means for rotation with said ratchets, a lever operated by rotation of said price setter means to release said latch and permit opening of said periodical removing door and a spring for moving said lever into operable connection with said price setter means after it has rotated to the appropriate position, said coin mechanism including a coin chute for receiving quarters, a second coin chute for receiving dimes and a third coin chute for receiving nickels, a wire connected to said ratchet for rotating the ratchet in an increment of five teeth upon movement of the wire under weight of a quarter, a second wire connected to the, ratchet for moving the ratchet in increments of two teeth under the weight of a dime, said second wire being moved under the weight of a nickel to rotate said ratchet and price setter means, and stop means for limiting the movement of said wire under the weight of a nickel to prevent rotation of the ratchet in increments in excess of one tooth.
 3. In a periodical vending machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the price setter means has an opening therein, means on said lever for engagement in said opening, said spring acting to move the lever to move its opening engaging means into the opening in the price setter means, whereby the lever will be moved to release the latch when the price setter means is moved by said ratchet into the position indicated by the price of the periodical to be dispensed.
 4. In a periodical vending machine as claimed in claim 3, said price setter means including a flexible plate provided with a plurality of spaced openings, a pin carried by said ratchet, said flexible price setter plate being movable independent of the ratchet when it is flexed to be free of said pin and movable to receive the pin in the flexible price setter plate which indicates the price of the periodical to be dispensed. 